The Supreme Council for Shari’ah Council in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed disappointment over the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the Presidency, citing the political marginalization of Muslims despite their numbers in the country.
The council stated this a day after former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai lamented that there’s anger in the north against the administration of President Bola Tinubu over hardship and marginalisation.
Speaking at the Pre-Ramadan Lecture held in Kaduna on Tuesday, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah, President of SCSN, lamented that millions of Muslims were politically marginalized in many parts of the country.
According to him, the Council has not seen the expected benefits of having a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the presidency.
The SCSN President also expressed concern over the socio-economic hardship in the country, which, according to him, is becoming unbearable.
He said, “We have seen Nigerians vote for people of the same Islamic faith into the Presidency without turning the country into an unceasing battlefield, but we have not seen justice and equity done to all communities, irrespective of their faith.
“Millions of Muslims are politically marginalized in many parts of the country, in spite of their numbers and the constitutional demands for justice, and we see a nation growing in indifference over Muslim grievances.
“Nigerians are experiencing severe economic hardship, exacerbated by some government policies. The removal of fuel subsidies has led to soaring costs of living, with food, transportation, and essential goods becoming increasingly unaffordable.”
According to him, the depreciation of the naira, high inflation, and stagnant wages have further eroded purchasing power.
“The Council has consistently advised the administration on adopting policies to address the hardship.
He noted that the Council remained steadfast in advocating for the easing of the draconian policies to protect the interests of the poor.
The Islamic cleric also expressed concern over the insecurity in the country, particularly the revelations of government-owned weapons falling into criminal hands and the disappearance of 3,907 rifles from the police armoury.
According to him, the Council is deeply concerned by recent developments, especially revelations on government-owned weapons falling into criminal hands and the Auditor-General’s report to the Senate on the disappearance of 3,907 rifles from the police armoury with no consequences.
“For over two decades, the Council has played a pivotal role in efforts towards addressing insecurity and ethno-religious crises in Nigeria. In the last year, it has engaged major security stakeholders in the nation, in the security and intelligence community and in other strategic actors.
“These developments require urgent and decisive action by the government,” Sheikh Hadiyyatullah added.
The SCSN President emphasized the importance of unity among Muslims, saying that the Council would continue to work towards the unity and progress of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
According to him, the Council will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of Muslims in Nigeria.
“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah has been a longstanding partner in the progress and development of our nation. For over two decades, the Council has actively contributed to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic development, with the unity of the Ummah as the cornerstone of our efforts.
“As a religious body, one of its core objectives is the realization of a prosperous Ummah and a country that is economically, socially, educationally, and politically viable.
“Despite the formidable challenges facing our nation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to contributing to its success,” Sheikh Hadiyyatullah added.
